4th gear for City driving (auto)

[TIT-CRUISER]

I've been searching and I haven't see anyone address this specifically, but my high school auto shop teacher (way back when) was an auto transmission rebuild specialist. He told all of his students to turn overdrive off when commuting in City traffic. His logic was that when the auto transmission was finally ready to shift into over drive, you were likely approaching a red light and had to stop. This results in extra shifting for the trans and extra wear for the brake system. Just like with my old manual trans, I only used 5th when I was on the highway.

I have been driving my FJ without using overdrive while on City streets and I like having the power there without having the trans downshift.

What are your thoughts??

[RoverGGM]

It's your vehicle but.......

I think he was possibly perpetuating his "tranny rebuild" business with his recommendation. I would recommend you use regular drive (D) unless you are descending a long downhill (prevents mechanical brake burning), towing a trailer and the gear-hunting gets to be an aggravation, or you are preparing to pass a vehicle and want to manually kick-down a gear in anticipation of the pass.

The majority of the miles on your FJ will be accumulated in 5th gear and it is designed to be driven in (D) drive. It has a sophicticated Artificial Intelligence control system to select the proper gear for efficiency and greater control. It calculates the optimal shift pattern by constantly monitoring throttle input, engine RPM, vehicle speed and brake signal.

[TIT-CRUISER]

RoverGGM previously said:

It's your vehicle but.......

I think he was possibly perpetuating his "tranny rebuild" business with his recommendation. I would recommend you use regular drive (D) unless you are descending a long downhill (prevents mechanical brake burning), towing a trailer and the gear-hunting gets to be an aggravation, or you are preparing to pass a vehicle and want to manually kick-down a gear in anticipation of the pass.

I have heard this reply before and I would like to know what is physically damaging to a transmission when overdrive is not used?

I drive on city streets where the speed limit is 40mph, and traffic barely go above that because police w/radar are everywhere. I seem to hit red traffic lights every 1/2 mile so shifting into overdrive does not make sense to me.
When I go on the highway, I immediately shift into overdrive because thats what it's there for.